The question of “free will” has plagued mankind since the evolution of consciousness. Do humans have unhindered control over their own lives, including their thoughts, choices, and actions? Philosophy, religion and psychology have all attempted to come to a satisfying answer.
None of the answers provided fit precisely into the hole left by the question, which is why new answers are being sought all the time. There will never be a fulfilling answer. It is the nature of human existence. But that won’t stop the mind from trying to fill in the blank, seeking meaning when none might be there.
True autonomy, defined as free, completely unhindered agency over self, does not exist. This is part of what makes no answer satisfactory. Human consciousness begs for agency. The ultimate goal of the mind is one word: freedom. But it’s a fool’s goal, it can never be attained.
“Humans are herd animals,” as James Clear succinctly points out in his book Atomic Habits. This is how humanity has risen to such great heights out of the animal kingdom. Human animals developed consciousness through evolution, with the ability to remember and plan, and then formed tribes to advance progress. Survival and reproduction are the underlying forces of the universe, and humans are no exception. Rather, humans perfected them.
As a natural result of tribalism, societal norms developed that kept the tribe together. There were ways of being to fit in to the group, else you were exiled. Roles and jobs developed, as did a crude system of justice balanced by power.
Fast-forward to today, and societal norms still dominate all cultures. Retributive justice systems have codified norms on the macro level. Informally, while there are more in-groups now than ever thanks to the internet, being cast out from a familiar “tribe” (family, friends, church, occupation, etc.) can have lasting damage. The internal impulse to “fit in” remains.
Thus, we see the trouble with true autonomy. Every person is born into a variety of overlapping systems. Without a choice, you are subject to your parent(s), your greater family, their friends, their class, race, religion, and location. From before you are born, these things were pre-determined for you and without your consent. Everything you learn about the world happens in this intersection, unique to you.
Tribal norms greatly impact early learning. Young humans learn fastest and most enduringly through modeling: the behaviors they see are the behaviors that they will do. A common expression in the teaching world is “if you follow a jerk kid home, you’ll find jerk parents.” This is due to modeling, and works in the opposite direction as well; if parents act with patience and kindness, their children will more than likely embody this behavior.
These ways of being are not a life sentence, but they often result in one of two responses: either they are reinforced and perpetuated or they are denied and extinguished. Perpetuation is easier than denial: perpetuation results in continued in-group status, but denial risks exile.
Is either case true autonomy? No. Every thought, choice, and action is in either affirmation of the tribal and societal norms passed down to you, or a reaction to them. No matter what, there is no escaping these as the touchpoints for the rest of your existence.
The good news: functionally, this doesn’t matter much. Knowledge of the greater context of “free” will is vital because it helps you reflect on your own instincts, thought patterns, and choice inclinations. It helps you be more informed. To make better choices. Even if it is all subject to the intersection of norms that you were born into.
There is no “true” autonomy, but everyone is functionally autonomous: the decision to assent or reject rests with you.
Edited by Jeremy Harr and Abigail McKay Cherry